Where Are All The Midlife Women?! TV Icon Sally Lindsay Speaks Out

Why do women over 40 disappear from our screens? 🤝 Get your own personalised menopause support from Dr Naomi Potter and her team: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/what-to-expect-ihihThis week, Dr Naomi Potter is joined by actress, writer, and producer Sally Lindsay to unpack why midlife women — and their real experiences with menopause, motherhood, and ageing — are still invisible in TV and film.You might know Sally best from her role as Michelle in The Royle Family, or Shelley Unwin in Coronation Street, or even Piella Bakewell in Wallace and Gromit! But most recently, she's been starring, writing and producing the Madame Blanc Mysteries, in which Sally plays antique dealer Jean White. Sally talks about how important this job is to her – how she's putting midlife women in the limelight – and how women can bring far more to the table both on camera and behind the scenes compared to men.This is an empowering, funny, and honest conversation reminding us that women in midlife deserve to be seen — and heard.Follow Sally Lindsay below:Sally's Instagram: @sallylindsay73Watch The Madame Blanc mysteries on Channel 5: https://www.channel5.com/show/the-madame-blanc-mysteries/season-3/d5639acf-4ec1-4a52-b4a8-6fdf7ed378cfFollow Dr. Naomi Potter below:Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotterNaomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotterNaomi’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18evLF...00:00 – Welcome & introduction02:02 – Why TV still prefers men in key roles03:01 – The struggle to get female-led dramas made04:34 – Where are all the female writers in TV?05:42 – Motherhood, childcare & losing women in the industry07:05 – Midlife women and missing roles on screen08:33 – Why Sally writes roles for women over 5010:05 – The reality of casting women in midlife11:04 – Bringing menopause and hot flushes to TV12:32 – The power (and freedom) of menopause14:09 – Sally’s personal perimenopause journey16:02 – Brain fog, anxiety & the fear of losing yourself18:03 – The life-changing impact of HRT20:02 – Managing anxiety during menopause22:04 – The battle women face getting HRT24:03 – Sally’s experience starting HRT26:03 – Travelling with HRT & the stress of access28:04 – If men went through this, it would be everywhere30:05 – Why has progress on menopause care stalled?32:02 – Support (or lack of) from friends who didn’t struggle33:04 – Listener question: Balancing career & family life36:02 – Listener question: Anxiety, brain fog & confidence at work39:01 – Final thoughts & where to find support#sallylindsay #madameblanc #naomipotter